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'''Homunculus''' (Latin for "little human") is a [[blue]] [[creature]] [[subtype|type]] used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature [[humans]]. Sometimes they are [[artifact creatures]], sometimes not. These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. A well-made homunculus grooms the mind of its master, pruning the thoughts that lead to madness. Few loredelvers survive the study of the infinite without one. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (<c>Oculus</c>, <c>Riddlekeeper</c>)
{{Infobox type
|type=creature
|stats={{stats|C=1|W=2|U=19|WU=1|GU=1|M=1|A=1}}
{{stats|Homunculus creation|U=1|B=1|A=1|state=collapsed}}
as of ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]''
}}
{{TOCright}}
'''Homunculus''' (<small>Latin:</small> "little person") is a [[blue]] [[creature type]] used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature [[human]]s.  


The first creature to bear the type was <c>Bonded Fetch</c> in ''[[Future Sight]]'', though the <c>Sneaky Homunculus</c> from ''[[Nemesis]]'' and the <c>Hazy Homunculus</c> from ''[[Prophecy]]'' were later issued errata to become an Homunculus in addition to the [[Illusion]] type.
==Description==
These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (<c>Oculus</c>, <c>Riddlekeeper</c>).<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/my-name-not…-2014-06-11|My name is NOT…|Bonnie Bruenderman|June 11, 2014}}</ref>


==Esper==
The first creature to bear the type was <c>Bonded Fetch</c> in ''[[Future Sight]]'', though the <c>Sneaky Homunculus</c> from ''[[Nemesis]]'' and the <c>Hazy Homunculus</c> from ''[[Prophecy]]'' were later issued [[errata]] to become Homunculi in addition to their [[Illusion]] type.
[[Esper]], one of the five [[Shards]] of [[Alara]] is inhabited by artificial blue-skinned homunculi. The [[mage]]s of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these artifact creatures in their retinues (<c>Court Homunculus</c>).


==Innistrad==
==Storyline==
The homunculi of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] are based on upon the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or [[vampires]] in old [[Horror]] films (<c>Stitcher's Apprentice</c>).
===Alara===
Blue-skinned homunculi live on [[Esper]], one of the five [[Shard]]s of [[Alara]]. Like all living things on the plane, they are [[artifact creatures]], and in Esper's case, they are magically constructed.<ref name="AlaraGuide">[[Doug Beyer]] & [[Jenna Helland]] (2008). ''[[A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0786951246</ref> Homunculi are sentient and self-willed, but incapable of defying the demands of their creators. They are used for a myriad of purposes, but most often function as clerks, scribes, and couriers, and as decorative additions to mages' retinues. The [[mage]]s of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these creatures in their retinues.<ref><c>Court Homunculus</c></ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/sketches-court-homunculus-2009-03-17|Sketches: Court Homunculus|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 17, 2009}}</ref>


==Ravnica==
Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them.<ref name="AlaraGuide"/> Whether humans intend a deeper symbolism in the homunculi’s appearance {{-}} as an homage to the wise and noble vedalken, or as a hint to some sinister origin of the creatures {{-}} is not known. Though the lives of homunculi aren't considered intrinsically valuable, humans keep them well protected, probably due to the labor and expense of their creation.
The homunculi of[[ Ravnica]] are less human-like, and more [[imp]]-like (<c>Doorkeeper</c>, <c>Frilled Oculus</c>).


==Homunculus [[tokens]]==
===Fiora===
* Blue Homunculus tokens are created by <c>Stitcher's Apprentice</c> (a 2/2 Creature) and <c>Puppet Conjurer</c> (a 0/1 Artifact Creature).
It isn't known for certain who or what creates the cantankerous, seemingly independent homunculi that can be found around [[Fiora|Paliano]]. (<c>Jeering Homunculus</c>)
{{Template:Races}}[[Category:Creature types]]
 
===Innistrad===
The homunculi of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] are based on the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or [[vampire]]s in old horror movies (<c>Stitcher's Apprentice</c>).
 
===Kylem===
The sentient homunculi of [[Kylem]] are the caretakers of [[Valor's Reach]]. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul during play escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language (mutually understood by all adults on Kylem) to communicate. [[Zndrsplt]] uses a telepathic link to allow her [[cyclops]] friend [[Okaun]] to speak for her.<ref name=":0">{{DailyRef|feature/world-battlebond-2018-06-06|The World of Battlebond|[[Alison Luhrs]]|June 6, 2018}}</ref>
 
===Ravnica===
The homunculi of [[Ravnica]] are less human-like, and more [[imp]]-like (<c>Doorkeeper</c>, <c>Frilled Oculus</c>). They can't speak but do communicate with sign language and in written form.<ref name="Ravnica art book">[[James Wyatt]] (January 2019). "''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica]]''". [[Wizards of the Coast]]</ref> Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=Mark Rosewater|url=https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/749225091716562944|title=May 1st will mark the beginning of my 42nd trip around the sun...|tumblr=Blogatog|date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>
 
===In other media===
{{Non-canon}}
In ''[[Magic SpellSlingers]]'', a homunculus announcer and 14-time champion of [[Valor's Reach]] named Vin speaks to the player and the crowd, though he doesn't appear to have a mouth. His communication may be telepathic.<ref>[[Magic SpellSlingers|''Magic SpellSlingers'']] (2022). Wizards of the Coast. Accessed 21 Aug 2022.</ref><ref name=":0" />
 
==Tokens==
Tokens marked with {{A}} are created by [[Acorn]] cards.
{{Homunculus tokens|header=y}}
 
==Notable Homunculi==
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
;[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]
*<c>Oglor, Devoted Assistant</c>
 
;[[Kylem]]
*[[Zndrsplt]]
 
;[[Ravnica]]
*[[Fblthp]]
 
;[[Shandalar]]
*[[Zurbit]]
}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Creature types|Races|Homunculi}}

Latest revision as of 16:56, 24 June 2024

Homunculus
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Statistics
26 cards
{C} 3.8% {W} 7.7% {U} 73.1% {W/U} 3.8% {G/U} 3.8% {M} 3.8% {artifact symbol} 3.8%
3 Homunculus creation cards
{U} 33.3% {B} 33.3% {artifact symbol} 33.3%
as of Murders at Karlov Manor
Scryfall Search
type:"Homunculus"

Homunculus (Latin: "little person") is a blue creature type used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature humans.

Description

These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (Oculus, Riddlekeeper).[1]

The first creature to bear the type was Bonded Fetch in Future Sight, though the Sneaky Homunculus from Nemesis and the Hazy Homunculus from Prophecy were later issued errata to become Homunculi in addition to their Illusion type.

Storyline

Alara

Blue-skinned homunculi live on Esper, one of the five Shards of Alara. Like all living things on the plane, they are artifact creatures, and in Esper's case, they are magically constructed.[2] Homunculi are sentient and self-willed, but incapable of defying the demands of their creators. They are used for a myriad of purposes, but most often function as clerks, scribes, and couriers, and as decorative additions to mages' retinues. The mages of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these creatures in their retinues.[3][4]

Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them.[2] Whether humans intend a deeper symbolism in the homunculi’s appearance — as an homage to the wise and noble vedalken, or as a hint to some sinister origin of the creatures — is not known. Though the lives of homunculi aren't considered intrinsically valuable, humans keep them well protected, probably due to the labor and expense of their creation.

Fiora

It isn't known for certain who or what creates the cantankerous, seemingly independent homunculi that can be found around Paliano. (Jeering Homunculus)

Innistrad

The homunculi of Innistrad are based on the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or vampires in old horror movies (Stitcher's Apprentice).

Kylem

The sentient homunculi of Kylem are the caretakers of Valor's Reach. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul during play escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language (mutually understood by all adults on Kylem) to communicate. Zndrsplt uses a telepathic link to allow her cyclops friend Okaun to speak for her.[5]

Ravnica

The homunculi of Ravnica are less human-like, and more imp-like (Doorkeeper, Frilled Oculus). They can't speak but do communicate with sign language and in written form.[6] Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.[7]

In other media

In Magic SpellSlingers, a homunculus announcer and 14-time champion of Valor's Reach named Vin speaks to the player and the crowd, though he doesn't appear to have a mouth. His communication may be telepathic.[8][5]

Tokens

Tokens marked with {A} are created by Acorn cards.

Token Name Color Type Line P/T Text Box Source Printings
Homunculus Blue Artifact Creature — Homunculus 0/1
Blue Creature — Homunculus 2/2
Colorless Creature — Homunculus 2/2

Notable Homunculi

Innistrad
Kylem
Ravnica
Shandalar

References

  1. ↑ Bonnie Bruenderman (June 11, 2014). "My name is NOT…". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ a b Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246
  3. ↑ Court Homunculus
  4. ↑ Magic Arcana (March 17, 2009). "Sketches: Court Homunculus". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ a b Alison Luhrs (June 6, 2018). "The World of Battlebond". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ James Wyatt (January 2019). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica". Wizards of the Coast
  7. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 30, 2024). "May 1st will mark the beginning of my 42nd trip around the sun...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Magic SpellSlingers (2022). Wizards of the Coast. Accessed 21 Aug 2022.
  9. ↑ Magic Arcana (October 02, 2008). "Tokens in Action!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
 
Multicolored {M}
Majority {W}
Majority {U}
Majority {B}
Majority {R}
Majority {G}
Majority {C}
Majority Token
Crossover
 
Notable Races
Notable Classes
Other
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